CUSTOMIZABLE PLATFORM FRAME ASSEMBLY

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/635,775, filed Apr. 18, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to marine dock systems and, more particularly, to a customizable platform frame assembly.

Docking systems are used for loading, unloading, building and repair of transport, and specifically in a maritime environment for boats and ships. Current docking solutions are either built in-place, thereby lacking customization and reconfigurability, or are shipped from a manufacturer, but are bulky and difficult to assemble.

As can be seen, there is a need for a customizable docking frame system, that is light, compact, and easy to assemble and reconfigure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a customizable platform assembly comprises a frame and a deck portion mounted to the frame. The frame includes a side rail formed with a decking shelf extending from a first surface of the siderail longitudinally along the side rail, wherein the docking shelf has at least one longitudinal channel formed therein; cross members slidably attached to the at least one longitudinal channel with attachment hardware; and an elongated support member mounted to the cross members, wherein the elongated support member is parallel to and spaced from the side rail.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a customizable platform frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a side rail thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a hat channel of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a central tube of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is another detailed sectional view, taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a lightweight customizable frame that can be assembled using commodity hardware. The frame may be used, for example, in platforms, flatbed trailers, or truck beds.

A frame assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to suit the particular needs of a site. As a first matter, commodity hardware can be selected to fit hardware slots in the frame components. In embodiments, commodity hardware can include a bolt and nut configuration, where the nut can be shaped to securely fit in select hardware slots. Commodity hardware can be installed in any number or configuration of holes on a plurality of cross member hat channels. Once hardware is installed on the hat channels, the cross members can be adjustably installed between a plurality of dock frame members anywhere along the length thereof by sliding the installed hardware into hardware slots of each dock frame member. The hat channels can have additional slots to affix a plurality of support members to the hat channels. The frame assembly can then be attached to a base, or to additional frame assemblies, utilizing channels of a backing member with commodity hardware adapted to securely fit in the channels.

While not limiting the materials of the present invention, the frame members may be manufactured from extruded aluminum, cut to length, and machined to form mounting holes. The members may be any suitable dimensions. For example, a dock side member may have a cross section of about 4.75×about 4.26 inches, with selected components having a width of about 1.25 to about 1.5 inches. The dock side member may have a docking shell formed with enclosed channels running longitudinally therethrough. A hat channel crossmember may have a width of about 4.4 inches and a height of about 2 inches, with a flange running longitudinally along the outer edges thereof. The hat channel members may be shaped by extruding, bending, or otherwise forming a first and second mounting flange disposed on either side of a substantially U-shaped channel.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, an exemplary assembled frame 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1, including side rails 12 joined by hat channels 20 positioned orthogonally to the side rails. A central channel 22 is formed in each hat channel 20. Central tubes 28 disposed substantially parallel to the side rails 12 are affixed to the hat channels 20 to provide stability to the frame 10. The central tubes 28 may have upper bolt access holes 30 formed therein to accommodate attachment hardware, such as bolts, washers, and nuts; see FIGS. 5-8. In embodiments, the assembled frame 10 can be assembled in a custom manner, utilizing commodity hardware, to fit the needs of a particular application.

Turning to FIG. 2, each side rail 12 has formed therein horizontal square nut slots 14 and vertical square nut slots 16 to receive square nut hardware; and decking shelf 18, which enable the hat channels 20 to be slidably moved during installation and configuration. It is understood that the configuration of the hardware slots 14, 16 and channels 22 can be configured to accept any known hardware, without limitation.

FIG. 3 illustrates the hat channels 20 having channel wings 24 or mounting flanges. The flanges 24 can include a plurality of bolt holes 26 which are configured to receive hardware for installation and configuration of the frame assembly 10. See FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the square central tubes 28.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate assembly of the central tubes 28 to the hat channels 20 with hex head bolts 34, washers 38, and nuts 40. As FIG. 6 shows, the central tubes 28 may have lower bolt holes 32 formed therein at a 90° angle to, and flanking, the upper bolt access holes 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the side rails 12 may be coupled to the hat channels 20 by way of hex head bolts 34 seated within the horizontal square nut slots 14 formed in the decking shelf 18.

Orthogonal to the view of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 illustrates a central tube 28 coupled to to a hat channel 20 with socket head bolts 36.

The assembled frame 10 of FIG. 1 may be fitted with deck panels 42 and end caps 44 to form a platform surface and the platform may be mounted on poles 48 affixed to the frame 10 with pole brackets 46, as shown in FIG. 9.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.